Frank Serrato's felony charges dismissed after TCOLE agreement

Former Coffee City Mayor Frank Serrato has had five felony charges of tampering with government records dismissed. This follows an agreement in which Serrato agreed to surrender his Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) peace officer license.

Serrato was among several officials charged following a 2023 investigation into the Coffee City police department, which led to the department's deactivation. The indictment alleged that Serrato failed to disclose various items on his TCOLE personal history statement, including previous employment with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, a termination from the Plainview Police Department, and a 1996 arrest for domestic assault and battery in Michigan.

Other former officials, including former Police Chief Johnjay Portillo and officer Lonnie Hicks, have reportedly reached similar agreements to have their tampering charges dismissed pending TCOLE confirmation.